Happy Silver + 1

Happy Silver plus One!!!!! Thank you Lord for the super duper many blessings that you showered upon me, my family, friends, community and those around me. Thank you for a wonderful year and for many more years in this life. Thank you for a year added to mine for me to be better, stronger, wiser and fiercer. Thank you for the unending grace and love that you never fail to make me feel. I am so blessed and loved. Truly I am God's beloved, favored, treasured, beautiful and special in His eyes. Thank you soooo very much.. Happy birthday to me. Good nytieeeee!
January 3, 2015 - Happy Silver plus One! 

Happy 2015

Happy New Year!!!! Cheers to a blessed and joyful 2015! My family may not be complete but thanks to social media, communication bridges the gap of distance between us. Yes we are miles apart but were together always in my heart! smile emoticon

Sa December 2015, in Jesus' name, complete na talaga tau. Me and Kevin will strive hard for that to happen. Help and surprise us Lord. Claim ko na ang Family Reunion 2015! Happy New Year! God bless us all. I miss and love you all. See you sooooon! smile emoticonMwaaahhhugs! kiss emoticon #iamBBM #deogloria#thankyouLord #happy #reunion2015 #family#Godsgift #blessings — with Caila Lim, Larry Lim,Christy Alba Lim, Iek Elad Mil, Kyle Lawrence Andrei Lim, Käwën Krïztïnë Lïm and Sarah Kailyn Lim.

Be God’s Chosen One

Date: January 3, 2015

Sharer: Sarah Lim

CLP Batch: 43

Gospel: John 1:29-34 New International Version (NIV)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’

31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Reflection:

In the Bible we have heard a lot of chosen people of God and the first would be Adam and Eve. Despite their sinfulness, still God was merciful enough to forgive and give them the chance to live. After our first parents, God then chose people from different families. To name some they were Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Noah, Moses, Israelites, Joseph the dreamer, David, Samson, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph and Mary. Jesus the Messiah is God’s Chosen One and after His legacy a lot has followed. After Jesus was Peter being the first Pope, the disciples, John the Beloved, Mary Magdalene, the conversion of Paul, the apostles, the followers, Stephen who was the first saint and all other saints, priests, nuns, missionaries and that includes individuals like you and me.

Everyone is God’s chosen one because our presence on earth is not a mere accident. You, existing on earth is not a joke and in God’s eyes you are very special. Can you imagine the love He has for us that He gave Jesus for our salvation? All of us were called by name for a purpose and that is to fulfil the plan of God in our life. We may be ordinary individuals but God has prepared the best for us to experience life on earth and therefore we should not waste the opportunity. There’s a saying that goes: “God doesn’t call the qualified because He qualifies the called.” We are called and our duty does not end by answering yes but by doing our best to do the mission entrusted to us. God wants us to say Yes to His call and of course it includes action as well. God is ever faithful for He’ll never leave us in times of difficulty.

How can we be God’s Chosen One? Well let’s strive to be a blessing to others in many simple and small ways. We are called to make a difference. We are called to become an Alter Christus (Alter Christ) to those whom we meet. We are called not to be Christian thinkers nor talkers but doers of Catholic faith and teaching. We are called to love because love is understood in God alone for God is love and love is God. Love is expressed not in words but in deeds. So let’s love more. We are called to proclaim the good news and evangelize the people of this world. We are called to be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ and when that happens, all tongue shall give praise and all knees will bend to Him.

We are called. You are called. I am called. Why? Simply because we are God’s beloved. We are special and beautiful in His eyes.  We are highly favoured and blessed like none other. We were paid for a price because He loved us dearly. He assures us through His promises that He won’t leave nor forsake us. God is calling us not to be successful but to be faithful just as He is. So now, God is waiting for our Yes in action and let’s allow His plan to unfold in our lives. When all else fails and just so you may forget, remember and be proud to say that “I’ll be the ONE” because YOU and I is God’s Chosen One.

Soli Deo Gloria! (Glory to God alone!)

God bless us all! Happy New Year!

3 types of people

  Never forget 3 types of People in your Life

1. Who helped you in your difficult times

2. Who left you in your difficult times

3. Who put you in your difficult times

#1 means being grateful to the ones who stayed through thick and thin. Finding true friends nowadays is very hard since the society is ever changing. Being blessed with a true friend who is there for you makes you a winner whatever the circumstances may be. Overcoming a struggle is never easy especially when you need support. I am blessed to see and cherish the true friends who forever will be treasured in my heart. My victory is a victory shared with many but my defeat is another opportunity to get back up and fight again until I win! Thank you to my true-real friends for keeps! :)

#2 means understanding and realizing the true friends from the fake ones. It is not a good reason to leave especially when we thought we needed them but still it's a blessing to know that you don't need them. Maybe they have a reasons why they left and we have to live with that. It's not my lost anyway. Sounds bitter but it feels better to know your true friends during your up-down and light-dark moments in life.

#3 means forgiving the ones who put you in that difficult time but not forgetting what they did. Yes it is good to remember the pain and suffering that you had to go through but still we should thank them because without them then we wouldn't be stronger, better and wiser than we are now. We are what we become and going through struggles allow us to be shaped as God wanted us to be. So still we should be thankful and situations like this happen for a reason. So let's trust God, okay?

Be grateful, be happy, be thankful, move on when needed and learn to accept the realities of life.

Let go and let God take over.

God never fails!

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, He is ever faithful.. Our God nevers fails to fulfill the promises He made to His beloved. The big question is, do we/I fail Him? Super duper thank you Lord. Looking back a year ago during my toughest moment, you have comforted me through family, friends and household. I wouldn't have survived and witness your great plans for me. Looking forward. Holding on. Lead me Lord.

#iamBBM #deogloria #thankyouLord

Best of 2014

The best of 2014

Indeed, 2014 has come to an end and it feels like it just started yesterday. Time flies very fast and what we can do is just to enjoy and savor the moment until it lasts. 2014 has been a great and unique year for me with a lot of ups and downs with twists and turns and dark to light moments. 2014 just like the previous years that passed allows me to continuously improve with myself since I know I am a work in progress, a clay to be molded upon, a light to be sent out to spread with others and a jug waiting to be filled to the brim.

Today may be the last day of the year and still we have few hours left to make the most of 2014 before we welcome 2015. So now let me take this time to appreciate and say thank you to the ones who touched my life and will be touching my life for the many years to come. Thank you Lord for all the blessings, graces and love that you have showered upon me through my family, friends and the community. You are a faithful and merciful God for you have given me chances despite my sinfulness and stubbornness. Still your love remained and it keeps on getting stronger. Sorry for the times I failed you and for disobeying your commands. Allow me to continue growing and become the person you want me to be with the help of my loved ones. May your will be done in me as always as it should be.

I am excited for a new year which means a lot of new events, experiences and encounters. There are a lot of things/situations and circumstances to look forward for. I hope and pray that may I learn to love more not just in words but in deeds. I guess I’m ready for a new chapter and I know with God’s grace I’ll survive like the previous years that passed. Let’s all prepare our hearts for the plans that the Lord prepared for us. May God’s peace, hope, faith, grace, forgiveness and love be upon us all! Yipeeeeey!

Happy New Year! Happy 2015! Cheers! :)

Happy 31st!

Happy 31st Wedding Anniversary Papabels and Mamabels!!!!! I miss and love you both! Claiming for December 2015 Family Reunion  See you soon. I praise and thank God for blessing us with wonderful parents. Take care always! God bless our family.. Lablabsss.

Best wishes to you both on your anniversary! May the love that you share last your lifetime through, as you make more wonderful memories together! May your marriage be blessed with love, joy and companionship for all the years of your lives! Happy Wedding Anniversary Papa Larry and Mama Christy! From all of us: Kyle, Sarah, Iek, Caila and Vince..

Just wait Princess

A message from God

“No man will ever claim you unless he claims you from Me. For I reserved a man for you who has My heart and loves Me even more than he loves you. For I won’t give you unless he asks you form Me. He is asleep; don’t wake him. He is busy for Me... My kingdom. Soon you will know him, but I have the perfect time. You are My princess and My daughter. Let no prince claim you unless he asks you from my hand for I am Your Father and King of kings. You, my princess is worth loving for.”

It is better for a princess like you to be asleep a hundred years and be kissed and be awake by the right prince than to stay awake and be kissed hundred times by the wrong frog.

It is better to wait for years for someone you are sure of, than to grab that chance with someone who picks you up but drops you whenever he wants to.

"Place your heart in the hands of God and He will place it in the hands of a man who he believes deserves it."

Good things come to those who wait. Just wait Princess! <3

Rejected but REDIRECTED.

As I attended the Arabian Catholic Youth Conference which was a 3 day activity held at St. Joseph Church, Abu Dhabi, UAE last November 15-17, 2012 I felt the Spirit of the Lord urging me to go and experience the World Youth Day the year after. God blessed me with that conviction because He knew I needed to experience it. I was so sure that time that I needed to go. In my heart there was a longing, a space that needed to be fill, a desire and a prayer that wanted to be with God through the event. The World Youth Day is not just a gathering of Catholics but it is a time to renew our faith and also to meet the Holy Father which is our beloved Pope.

I'll pray for the grace to attend the World Youth Day in Rio, Brazil 2013! Amen!

-Sarah

I had dreams and plans for the WYD but my concern was finances and I didn't know where to get the 10K money for me to go. I know money is never an issue but standing in my shoes it is definitely a struggle. I don't earn as much because I am inexperienced and fairly new in the country. I only earn a regular salary enough for myself and for my family. I am thrifty and I was raised to be practically wise when it comes to money. I was thinking of a part time job for me to raise it but I think I wasn't capable of something. I doubted my capability and all the more I doubted God's possibility for me.

I applied the leave of 2 weeks for the WYD and it was approved. I decided to help in raising the fund. I thought of ways but I never made a move. I was stagnant yet I prayed but I lack the faith in doing something to make it happen. I guess it was hard for me to accept that I couldn't afford it. It was too late for me that's what my mind was telling me. I felt sad knowing that I promised to go there yet I failed. I'm sorry Lord that I lacked faith and that I started to drown with my doubt, fears and what ifs.

I found it hard to accept the fact that I was not capable to raise the kind of money in 6 months. I can't sacrifice the money since I know I'll need it for support and other things. I was in denial but in the end I knew God has better plan for me. With God's grace, I was able to let go of that desire slowly but surely.

In my mind, I was discerning of going home instead. I wanted to see my family and loved ones. I wanted to go home. I want to settle things and I want to take break because I am being consumed slowly and I don't want any negative change in me. I knew that I'm starting to be unhealthy – with relationships, diet, problems etc. I asked God for the wisdom behind this. It was a change of plan and I had to face it.

The desire to go was there and I didn't know how or where. I kept going and I struggled all the more when the environment was not being nice to me even if I was to them. My heart was shattered because of hurt, trial and disappointment. I felt being stepped on yet I managed to keep myself standing still on the ground and holding on to God. It was difficult to work yet I stayed positive and I tried to be kind. God knew I had to overcome this. It was when I realized I can freely express my feelings, that I had a voice and everything happened because it was my choice. God made me feel angry, sad, disappointed and it was a time that I really prayed hard. I had frequent questions to Him regarding all the why's that I had in mind. I kept reminding myself that God is merciful and just that nothing escapes Him. He will give what is just and what is right for all. I never showed anger nor revenge yet I was praying for love and kindness to envelope me. I placed my trust in Him and that He is in control of everything. Though the situations were hard on me, still I'm thankful because Christian character was bent and learned how to deal with it positively. I had ups and downs yet I managed to go through it with God's grace and healing.

A lot of changes happened. I filed a local leave from June 30 to July 30 which was approved. I had to take it or else they won't pay it. I had no plans whether I'll work part time or just stay at home. I didn't know what to do but God has something that He wants me to do. It was somewhere last May when I decided to go home and have a break. I was again tested yet I didn't doubt. This time, I was full of faith that God will carry me through and He did. What I thought was impossible before was indeed possible. I held on to His promise and I experienced His greatness. The joy and excitement of going home was priceless. I was teary eyed and very emotional that I can easily express my feelings. I was refreshed and renewed. I settled my previous relationship. I asked forgiveness and was forgiven. I shared my time with family, relatives and still, YFC. I was reminded to OBEY and WITNESS and this is a miracle that He revealed to me. I may not have been to the World Youth Day because God knew that He wanted me to be HOME instead. He gave me a better answer to my prayer and I feel so blessed to experience going home the 1^st time. I just can't believe it and I know it's real. God is so amazing! Thank you so much Lord!

Indeed, God answers our prayer with a yes or no because He knows what is best for us. It doesn't mean that He won't give it now but He's waiting for the right time to give it and sometimes it exceeds our expectation. God's no is not a rejection but a wonderful redirection. If the Lord allows it then it will be done. I may have prayed for WYD but God allowed me to fulfill my dream of going home for the first time. I was redirected to something better than I could imagine. God is a God of impossibilities and truly all things became possible for me because I believed and I had faith. Everything was made beautiful and God works in amazing ways that we cannot see but we can experience completely.

Thank you Lord. I feel so blessed and my feelings of gratefulness are overwhelming! It was unexpected and You never failed in fulfilling your promises and in fact it was "SIKSIK, LIGLIG and UMAAPAW!" The Lord's blessing upon me is immeasurable, uncontainable and overflowing! You are a great and awesome God. Thank you for making things beautiful in your perfect time and for allowing me to experience your greatness in witnessing the impossible things made possible with your love and grace, AMEN!

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES.

-Mark 9:23

Light of Jesus

Blessed to share in Miraculous Medal Chapel. Thank you! Praise God! :)

Assigned Date: December 14, 2014

Assigned Verse: John 1:6-8,19-28

Reflection Story:

John was conceived in Elizabeth’s womb though barren at an old age. He was sent by God and to testify that with the Lord nothing is impossible. John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose on earth. He baptized people, spread the good news, prepared the way for Jesus and became a witness to the light. He humbly admitted that he is unworthy and he’s not the source of light which he referred to Jesus, the Messiah.

Let me share to you a story about the little candle’s discovery in knowing its purpose. Once there was a little candle placed in a room together with other candles. The little candle felt very tiny for it has seen several candles – plain, small, tall, glittery, scented, big, multi-colored, wonderfully shaped and expensive.

The sun went down and the room began to get dark. A man came to light the little candle then he started lighting each candle and the room was filled with light. The little candle realized that all the other candles gave out the same light regardless of what they are. Few hours later, the wax started to melt. It was then that the candle realized its purpose, “to give light until it dies”.

We are the different candles who are chosen by God, called to spread the word and be witnesses of Jesus. We were created on earth for a purpose and we should fulfill God’s will/plan in us. Jesus is the source of light. He first taught us to love. He gave his life for the salvation of our sins. He is the light that brought faith, hope, peace and love to all of us. He is the match/lighter that ignites the fire in our hearts. Apart from Him, we are lost, we are nothing and we are not capable. With Him, all things are made possible. Let’s continue to give and spread the light of Jesus.

11 days to go before Christmas! Am I excited? Is my heart ready to welcome Jesus and allow Him to light my path? Will I allow myself to be a witness to the light and live my life in accordance to God’s plan? Am I ready for the challenges that await me if I choose to follow Christ no matter how difficult it may seem? Am I ready to become an Alter Christus (alternate Christ) to my neighbors?

If the answer is Yes then be excited for the Savior is coming. Strengthen your faith, pray more and be ready since greater things are yet come. If the answer is No/Maybe then you still have time to prepare yourself for the birth of Jesus. Open your heart and allow the Spirit to teach, equip and lead you to the right path.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! :)